Telegraph keyboard controlled apparatus



Jan. 24, 1933. R. 0. SALMON ET AL 9 TELEGRAPH KEYBOARD CONTROLLED APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed' Dec. 2. 1930 INVENTORS REGINALD DENNIS SALMON STA EY ELLIS KIRK BY 6 A'TTORN Y Jan. 24. 1933. R. D. SALMON ET AL TELEGRAPH KEYBOARD CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 2. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTORS K m K Y m R E 0 av K A mm GA T MSW Patented Jan. 24, 1933 UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE,

REGINALD DENNIS SALMON AND STANLEY ELLIS KIRK, OF CROYDON, ENGLAND,

ASSIGNORS .TO GREED AND COMPANY, LIMITED, OF CROYDON, ENGLAND TELEGRAPH xizynonnn CONTROLLED APPARATUS V Application filed December 2, 1930, Serial No. 489,504, and. in Great Britain October 23, 1930.

This invention relates to keyboard operated telegraph apparatus and refers more particularly to a combined keyboard controlled signal transmitter and tape perforator. Under operating conditions and particularly in printing telegraph systems wherein signals are normally transmitted direct to line by the operation of a keyboard, it is desirable on occasions, during busy line periods for instance, to be able to store signals for example in a perforated tape, for'transmission by an automatic transmitter. In such cases an economy of apparatus is effected by combining a keyboard controlled transmitter with a keyboard controlled perforator so that either function, or if desired both functions may be effected from a common keyboard.

Combined apparatus of this type is already known in which depression of a key lever in a keyboard is arranged to actuate selectively a series of combination bars which determine the elements of the corresponding signal, a cam sleeve released on depression of any key effects the transmission direct to line of the signal, or alternatively the perforation of a tape in accordance with these elements.

In this case the speed of rotation of the cam sleeve is primarilydetermined by the required speed of transmission of the group of impulses representing each signal when send ing direct to line. A disadvantage arises from' this in that the speed of perforating these signals on a tape is not required to be limited by any such consideration. The speed of operation of a keyboard controlled tape perforator canbe higher, and with separate'apparatus generallyis in excess of the maximum speed at which a keyboard controlled trans mitter can be operated, having regard inthe latter case to the limitation of speed usually imposed on the transmission of each group of el ements representing a signal.

According to the present invention, signal transmitting and tape perforating means are each independently operable under control of a common keyboard by common driving means. By this means, the convenienceand economy of combined apparatus is retained in a large measure, but each unit can now be arranged to be operable at any desired speed independentely of the other, a i In one embodimentof theinvention herein described the essential elements comprise a keyboard, signal transmitting controlling means actuated from said keyboard, tape perforating controlling means also actuated from said keyboard, motor driving means, a lay shaft driven therefrom, signal transmitting actuating means driven from said lay shaft through individual gearing means at one speed, and tape perforating actuating means also drivenfrom said lay shaft through individual gearing means but at a speed high: er than said signal transmitting actuating means. l

A subordinate feature of the present inven tionc'omprises means, in the tape perforating apparatus, for back spacing the tape for ef fecting what are known as invisible corrections. As will hereinafter appear from the description, this is effected by-the operation of a key lever which alsoensures, if desired, that no perforating of the tape occurs on back spacing, and releases mechanical means which effects the actual feed operations, inthis case in'a backward direction. v V

A further feature comprises the provision in the tape perforating apparatus of a particular key which on depression, rapidly runs out blank tape as long .as the key is-main-" tained depressed. This obviates the repeated operation of the space key whenit is desired that; suflicient'tape should be provided at the end of a series of signals, for example, 85 to; permit the last ,signahp'erforated to pass through an automatic transmitter. The invention will be more fully comprehended. from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying draw ings in which Figure 1 shows a perspective Q means respectively, whereby sleeve 17 when ance with the longitudinal position of the latter, while a locking bar 13 and send-receive aswitch means 14 operate from cam sleeve 9, all in a manner already well-known and therefore only. thus briefly referred to 7 here. J

. *Th combination bars, as represented by bar 2, at the extremities opposite to fingers 3.to 7 control a corresponding series of independent members of which one only, .15 pivoted-at 16, is shown in Fig. 1. These members form interposable hammer abutments for acorresponding series of punches in a movable die block fortape perforating mechanism which is shown diagrammatically ingreater detail in Fig. 2 and will be further describedlater in the specification.

-,It,has hitherto been usual in combined transmitting and tape perforating apparatus of this class to effect punching and feeding I operations for the. tape perforating-mechanism, from suitable cams on the signal'transmitting cam sleeve, represented .in Fig. 1 by sleeve 9, but in the present invention a I separate cam sleeve 17 is provided to effect these operations. The two Loam sleeves 9 and 17 are driven through individual gearing 'means from a common lay shaft 18 which is rotated at a constant speed by suitable motor driving means not shown. As shown in Fig. 1 the signaltransmitting cam sleeve 9 is driven by a shaft 19 from the lay shaft 18 through gear wheels 20 and 21, while the tape perforating cam sleeve 17 is driven by a shaft 22 from the lay shaft 18 through gear wheels 23 and 24. Suitable ratios of gearing can thus be adopted between the lay shaft and the transmitting and perforating clutched to its driving shaft 22 is rotated at a higher speed thansleeve 9when clutched to shaft 19. and thus permits the keyboard to be operated at a higher speed'for perforating'a tape than when direct signallingto line is being el'fectedfrom the keyboard. In Fig. lgear wheels 23 and 24 are shown of equal diameter, while gear wheel 20 is larger than gear wheel 21 in a ratio of approximately 1.5

to l. Sleeve 17 thus rotates faster than sleeve 9 in aratio of approximately 3 to 2. Any desiredspeed of both signal transmitting and tape perforating means may be obtained,- however, by varying the speed ofthe lay shaft 18 and the ratios of the gear wheels to the cam sleeve driving shafts 19 and 22.

2 Te control of the cam sleeves 9 and 17 from the keyboard in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is effected by a universal bar 25 which is depressed on operation ofany key lever. This universal bar 25 swings on rock shaft 26 and causes arms 27 and 28, also fixed thereto, to raise corresponding members 29 and 30 which are shown suitably pivoted in leaf springs 31 and 32 respectively, which also serve as returningsprings for rock shaft 26. A shoulder'33 and 33' formed on each of .members 29 and 30 is adapted .to'engage one arm of a corresponding clutch releasing "detent 34 and 35 respectivelywhichwhen actuated releases clutch-pawls- 36 and 37 to clutch corresponding sleeves 9 and 17 to their respective driving shafts 19and 22. 'Members 29 and 30* are each disengaged from their respective detents'34 and 35 ,by' cams 38 and 39 respectivelyduring the subsequent rotation of thecam sleeves, to ,re-arrest clutch pawls 36 and '37' after one revolution in known manner. The clutch pawls and driving ratchets may advantageously be of the type shown in U.'S. Patent No. 1,682,889, having staggered teeth to ensure prompt engages ment of-the clutch. r

In order that either-the signal transmittingv or the tape perforatingmeans may be operated from the keyboard, a. shaft 40'is provided'with cam notchsurfaces 41-and 42 which in the position jofflthe shaft 40 as shown, holds member .29 out of engagement with detent 34 while member 30 is free to releaseits clutch for one revolution on each depression of a key lever 1. In'this position of shaft 40 the tape perforating mechanism is operated from the keyboard and the signal transmitting mechanismis inoperative. By turning shaft 40, by thumb piece 43 for'instance, through 90? inthe direction of the arrow this situation is reversed, member29 is free to'engage its ,detent 34 and member 30 is heldout of engagement with detent 35'. In. this position the signal transmitting mechanism is operated from the keyboard while the tape perforating mechanism is inoperative. If desired, shaft 40 may be pro-. ided with suitable cams to accord with each of three positions of the shaft instead of two, so thatfeither transmitter or tape perforator, or both simultaneously, may be op erated' from the keyboard. "The detailslofthe tape perforating and feeding mechanism employed is shownmore clearly in diagrammatic form in Fig. 2. In this figure the extremities of three only of the usual five combination'bars 2 are shown, together with their corresponding members 15 independently pivoted 011.16. A portion of the universal bar 25 ofFig. 1 is also shown in Fig. 2; The punch block and tape feed spindle for this form of construction is arranged on a member 44 whichis adapted tobe oscillated on shaft 45, a link 46 operated by a cam on sleeve 17 beingprovided for this purpose. A series of punches 47 are slidably-h'eld in guide plate together with a die plate in a punch block not shown which is fixed on member 44..

corresponding punches to perforate a paper tape 48. The punches are positively retract ed from the tape on return of member 44 by.

a'plate49 fixed in a static-nary part ofthe apparatus engaging the ends of suitable notches cut in the punches. A punch 50 abutting against a stationary part of the apparatus may be arranged to perforate a feed hole in the tape 48 at'each step in which the tape is fed past the punches. I

Rotatably mounted in member 44 is a feed spindle 51 having a spur wheel 52 engaging a row of centre holes perforated in the tape.

Afeed ratchet 53 having teeth or cam depressions equal in number to the teeth on spur wheel 52 is also fixed to spindle 51. Two feed detents 54 and 55 independently pivoted, conveniently as shown on fixed spindle 16, have extremities which can engage the teeth on opposite sides-of adiameter of feed ratohet53. A spring 56 tends to hold both extremities in engagement with feed ratchet 53, but a member 57 also conveniently'pivoted on spindle 16 has a bent portion at an extremity on one side of spindle 16, which bentportion forms a distance piece between feed detents 54 a-nd55 and permits only one detent at a time to engagefeed ratchet 53, the other detent meanwhile being maintained clear of the teeth on the other side of the ratchet. The extremity of member 57 on the other side of spindle 16 carries a finger piece conveniently arranged at the side of the keyboard, and forms a back spacing key. "A spring 59 maintains thiske'y in a normally raised position and consequently the'upper detent 54 in engagement with feed ratchet53. Two extensions 59 and 60 are also formed on member 57. extension 59 being vertically above spindle 16 and adapted. on depression of finger piece 58 to move horizontally to the nonperforating position any combination bar 2 which had been previously operated to the position to cause its corresponding punch to perforate the tape. The other extension 60 is arranged on depression of the finger piece 58 to operate the universal bar 25 which releases the loam sleeve as previously described. i I

The operation of the perforating feeding Member 44 is then and back spacing meals-11am is as follows: When shaft40 is turned to the position to cause the operation of the tape perforator;

on depression of any key lever in the; keyboard, such. as'key 1, combination bars 2 are set to bring members 15 into line, or not into line, with their corresponding punches 47. Universal bar 25 is simultaneously operated to effect the release'of cam sleeve 17 for one revolution. DuringLthis revolution link '46 is operated by a cam on sleeve 17 to swing member 44on spi-ndle '45. The guide'and die plates of the punchblock fixedtomember 44 are thusmoved and carry thetape against the seriesiof punches tocause the tape to be perforated according tothe setting of combination. bars :2, .a-feed hole being punched in the tape by punch 50 at the same time This movement o f-member 44 moves feed. spindlev 51 relatively to feed' detents 54 and 55, detent 54 engagingpthe next tooth of feed ratchet 53. On the return movement of member 44 during the one revolutionof cam sleeve 17 the punches are retracted from the tape by plate 49 and detent 54 causes ratchet 53 to rotate one tooth and feed the tape forward one stepin'preparation for the next signal. combinatiom r a 1 r If an incorrect key has been depressed and it is desired to back space the tape in order to erase thesignal by superimposing thereon a. full series of perforations which. obliterate the identity of that particular 'combination perforated in the tape, as alreadyknown, the back spacing key '58 is depressed. This per mits detent 55 toenga'g, with feed ratchet 53 in place of detent 54, while extension 59 replaces any previously operated comb-ination bars 2 so that nouperforating will take place. Extension 60 operates the universal bar 25 which releases the cam sleeve 17 and effectsthe movement of member 44 as on de:

pression ofany other key. ,The movement of ratchet 53 relatively todetent 55 in this case, however, effects amovement of spindle 51' of one step in a backward direction. De pression of key 58Lthus=effects backspac ng of the tape without perforating, these operations being performed byzthe cam sleeve and not by. the actual effort required todepre'ss the kev 58.

i In Fig. 1 a further f'eature the 'yolv'es continuously.

runout key 'isoperated blank tape is rap- :it. is desired" to provide a length of blank tape between or after signal perforations. In order to obviate the usual practiceof depressing the spacing key successively a number jof-times, a key lever 61 is provided which releases the tape perforating cam sleeve 17 .for as long as the key is held depressed.

I AS';Sl10WI1 in Fig. 1 .on depression-of key 61 arm 62'is raised to slide rod 68 and actuatedetent 35 through extension 64 of detent 35, clear of the clutch pawl37. It will have been noticed that when; operating the tape perforating mechanism from the keyboard,

detent 35 is disengaged from member by cam 39 on sleeve 17 during each revolution consequent upon each depression of a key.

This, as previously described, ensures that only one revolution is'effected. When de tent is maintained operated by key61 through extension 64 the-cam sleeve 17 re- When therefore the idly fed out as long as theke'y' is maintained depressed andthus avoids the repeated 'operation of the'spacing key toproduce a simi lar result; The key 61 may be placed in any convenient position, preferably close to. or in the keyboard with the other key levers. v

"In Fig. '1 the-signal transmitting contact means are shown as in the form of a spring blade 10' bent at th'e middle; of its length around the boss'bf a'member 65, which member' is oscillated on pivot 66 in accordance withthe switching operations to be effected. Memberhas two arms 67 and 68 bent as shown and adapted to retain the arms 10 of the spring blade in a strained position. Suit-- able contacttips on the arms of the spring blade cooperate with fixed contact screws 11 and "12. When member 65 is actuated to one position, one arm of contact blade 10 makes contact with one of the fixed screws 7 and is sprung away'from its corresponding arm 67 or 68 on member 65. When member 65 is actuated to the other position, the other.

arm of the contact blade approaches the otherfixed contact screw 11 or 12 but contact between the blade 10 and the first mentioned contact screw is not broken immediately.

WVhen member 65 has completed its travel the opposite arm of blade 10 hasmade contact withits corresponding fixed screwand been s run awa from its-retainin arm 67 or 68 while'the first mentioned armhas now broken contact with its fixed screw. It will be observed that the send-receive has contact means that is similarly constructed. I

With this arrangement the period oflost contact time while the contact tongue is travelling from one position to the other can be reduced to a minimum. By altering the position' of the fixed screws 11 and-12 the contact blade can even, if desired, be adjusted remake contact momentarily with both contact screws d'uringthe transitofmember 65 from one position tothe other and consequently before breaking contact with one screw and making contact with the other.

What is claimed is: 3 1; Telegraph apparatus comprising in combination, a keyboard, a series of combination bars actuated therefrom, a series of sig nal impulse selecting means controlled by said combination bars, a series of punch-selecting means also controlled by said combinatlon bars, a dr1v1ng shaft and two separate cam sleeves lndependently-drlven from said driving shaft at different relative speeds, one

for transmitting signals in accordance with the setting of 'sald signal impulse selectlng means and the other forperforatmg a tape in accordance with the setting of said punch selecting'means. p 1 I I p 7 p 2. Telegraph apparatus comprlsmg a 'keyboard, a signal transmitting, controlling.

means actuated from said keyboard,- tape per forating controlling means also actuated from saic keyboard, a driving shaft, signal transmitting actuatlng. means drlven from said driving shaft through individual gearing at one speed, and tape perforating actuatlng means also'driven from'sa1d dr1v1ng shaft through individual gearing means butat a speed higher than that of said signal transmitting actuating means.

3. Telegraph apparatus comprising a keyboard, signaltran'smitting means operated fromsaid-keyboard, independent tape perforating means also operated from said key-T for effectingv the releaseofboth said cam sleeves, and other means for causing there- .lease of said sleeves, one at a time, under the control of saidkeyboard 5. In a telegraphic apparatus, a keyboard,

signal transmitting means operated from said keyboard, independent tape perforating means also operated from sai'd'keyboard, a rotating shaft, and means for causing said shaft to operate both the signal-transmitting and the tape perforating means at different relative speeds under the control of said keyboardp V In witnesswhereof, we hereunto subscribe our names. this seventh day of November,

REGINALD DENNIS SALMON; STANLEY ELLIS KIRK. 

